Two prominent real estate associations—CREDAI-MCHI and PEATA (Practising Engineers, Architects and Town Planners Association)—have jointly urged Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Housing Minister Eknath Shinde to restore online access to critical property and planning data for Mumbai. The demand follows the recent withdrawal of several key digital services from government portals.
The now-inaccessible data, previously available on MHADA and district collector websites, included Mumbai’s online property cards, MHADA cess building details, city survey maps, and updated layout plans for more than 100 MHADA layouts. These resources played a vital role for developers, architects, planners, engineers, and property owners in carrying out due diligence, preparing project proposals, and adhering to planning norms.
The sudden unavailability has led to widespread disruption in Mumbai’s real estate and planning ecosystem. Processes that once took hours through digital platforms are now taking weeks, as professionals are forced to revert to manual methods involving departmental visits and paperwork. Delays of up to 15–20 days are now common for tasks that were previously executed online with minimal turnaround.
CREDAI-MCHI President Domnic Romell stated that the removal of these online systems has significantly set back the city’s real estate workflow. Echoing this concern, PEATA representative Milind Changani pointed out that the lack of access to updated layout plans and structure-level data is delaying feasibility studies and redevelopment planning for countless housing societies and landowners.
Adding to the problem is the outdated information still visible on MHADA’s digital platform. The current data reportedly lacks updated FSI norms and essential inputs like pro rata details, both crucial for accurate project planning and urban design.
The associations have highlighted that the issue doesn’t only impact large developers. Smaller contractors, individual architects, and homeowners working on renovation or redevelopment projects are equally affected. In a fast-paced market like Mumbai, where decisions must be made swiftly and based on reliable data, such disruptions can have ripple effects across the entire value chain.
Dhaval Ajmera, Secretary of CREDAI-MCHI, emphasized that digital platforms have become indispensable in a city where regulatory clarity and speed are paramount. “This is not just about convenience. It’s about maintaining momentum in one of India’s busiest urban centres,” he said.
CREDAI-MCHI and PEATA have formally requested the Housing Ministry to act swiftly and reinstate digital access to these crucial data sets. According to the bodies, restoring these services will reduce bureaucratic load, improve transparency, and support investor confidence—especially important at a time when Mumbai is pushing forward with large-scale redevelopment, affordable housing, and infrastructure upgrades.
